How I will help you increase your website traffic organically

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The internet is full of guides on how to increase your website traffic organically, as one simple Google search will tell you. And some can be quite useful, it can be a DIY project and you may increase your website traffic organically (to some degree). However, long-term measurable results will most likely require an expert: and that’s where I come in.  As I said before, my intention is not to slay off DIY guides on increasing website traffic organically. However, this article is for founders and businesses who seek to make early investments in their inbound marketing campaigns.  This campaign consists of 25 blog articles, that I will write, following the completion of the steps outlined below. For full details please see here.  First, let us look at the skills and activities required to increase your website traffic organically through a planned campaign. These are (in respective order): The combination of these steps, when done correctly, will increase your website traffic organically. Now let’s look at each stage in more detail. 1. Product/service evaluation  During our first and second calls, I will get a thorough understanding of what you are offering, and what your key distinguishing attributes are.  These will enable us to tailor the next steps based on a customer-centric approach. Moreover, understanding the key issues affecting your target audience is imperative. 2. Keyword research & planning  After the first step, I will then begin researching the relevant keywords to your business and industry.  In doing so, I will consider a range of factors including: Keyword popularity  Your budget and company size Strategic ranking: this involves identifying popular keywords unique to your audience through unconventional methods  3. Website heath check | Technical SEO assessment I will run a general website health check / technical SEO analysis for your website.  This step is crucial and one that many SEO copywriters or even agencies will neglect.  The reason is this: Adverse technical SEO factors affecting your website’s visibility make all other efforts essentially pointless.  Therefore, it is important to identify any major issues such as spammy backlinks, missing meta descriptions and so on.  4. Copywriting In the final step, I will begin writing the 25 articles that this campaign is based on.  You may be asking “Why 25 blog articles?” This is based on 8 years of SEO experience and research, which is generally the benchmark for witnessing a 30-100% increase in organic website traffic. At this point, leave the magic to me and sit tight whilst your awesome content is in the process of creation.  Increase your organic website traffic with me by 30-100% in 6 months. Get started today! About My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four prior to 2020. Currently, I help founders and businesses increase their online presence through strategy inbound marketing campaigns.

Advisory Programs now LIVE

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In today’s dynamic business landscape, personalized guidance and support are invaluable assets on the path to success. Recognizing the diverse needs of individuals and enterprises, my tailored advisory programs are designed to empower migrants, founders, and enterprise alike. Let’s delve into how these programs can unlock potential, foster growth, and drive innovation. Empowering Founders Entrepreneurship is a journey fraught with challenges and opportunities. The programs equip founders with the tools and insights they need. Whether to navigate the complexities of employment or scaling a venture. From refining business models to accessing funding and market expansion strategies, I work hand-in-hand with founders to turn visions into reality. With personalised mentorship and actionable guidance, I empower founders to build resilient and impactful businesses. Empowering Migrants For migrants navigating new territories, my advisory programs offer a roadmap to prosperity. From navigating cultural nuances to accessing opportunities, I provide personalised strategies and mentorship to facilitate integration and success. By harnessing individual strengths and aspirations, I help migrants to thrive in their new environments and contribute meaningfully to society. Empowering Enterprise Innovation lies at the heart of every successful enterprise. The advisory programs offer tailored solutions to drive innovation, growth, and competitive advantage. Whether it’s optimizing operations, exploring new markets, or fostering a culture of innovation, I partner with enterprises to unlock their full potential. Through strategic guidance and implementation support, I enable enterprises to stay ahead of the curve and seize opportunities in an ever-evolving marketplace. At the core of my advisory programs lies a commitment to empowerment, growth, and impact. By tailoring my approach to the unique needs of migrants, founders, and enterprise, I unlock new possibilities and drive sustainable success. Join me on this transformative journey and unlock your full potential today! About My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats.I did so by obtaining an endorsement from Newcastle University under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme (similar to the current Start-Up Visa). Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (which was replaced by the Innovator Visa). I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four, and also obtained my Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK. I now help other entrepreneurs start their businesses.

3 tools to help you make more sales

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If you’re on the lookout for digital tools to make more sales, this short list is for you. As an entrepreneur for over 8 years, I learnt an important lesson: if you can’t sell, you won’t succeed regardless of what you aim to do.  Now, I am not going to go through the soft and personal skills that you need to make more sales (perhaps for another article). However, I want to point out 3 tools that can considerably help you in getting exposure, prospecting and converting your sales leads.  Tidio Tidio has got to be one of my favourite tools of all time. Its primary product is AI-assisted chatbots.  These chatbots and lead converters are highly customizable, allowing you to tailor your communications with prospective leads.  Moreover, the Tidio platform in itself is quite user-friendly, and easy to use whilst also offering more service extensions such as email marketing. Hunter.io Do you know what’s the worst approach to sales? The cold approach. Generic emails with the opening of “Hello there” or “Greetings” will never work.  Instead, it’s important to target and create a profile of your ideal customer accurately. But, how do you get to contact them?  This is where Hunter.io comes in.  Quora Did I just refer to a community platform as a sales tool? Yes  Was it by mistake? No. I love Quora. I have used it for over a decade and it has never disappointed me (apart from the tabs opening in new windows all the time!). However, you may be asking why Quora can be used as a sales tool. Here’s the answer: psychology.  Quora, along with Reddit, is one of the best platforms for understanding people’s problems, needs and desires, the key ingredients of a successful sales strategy. Use Quora to understand: Your target market, Their pain  What bothers them  What motivates them  Subsequently, centre your sales pitch around the above.  These 3 tools will help you boost your sales through better planning and engagement with your leads.  About My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four prior to 2020. Currently, I help other entrepreneurs start their businesses.

Are online courses useful for people starting their own business?

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If you are thinking of starting your own business, then you may have considered completing online courses. In recent years, there has been an unprecedented surge in the provision of online courses, especially around starting your own business. However, are they useful? Or simply useless? The answer to the above is: it depends. Online courses can be useful for people who want to start their own business. However, you must use them in the right way and with the right intention.  Let me answer this question differently. Generally, with business, you are preoccupied with three key questions: The question is whether an online course would be appropriate for and beneficial in answering those three questions.  Online courses are useless for the “Why”  There are a myriad of courses on “business mindset”, “growth hacks”, “growth mindset”, “billionaire mindset” and so on.  These promise to give you the right mindset to make your billions (and yes, it is most definitely utter BS).  I believe that any entrepreneur should start a business out of their instinct. They should not need any person or entity telling them why they should start a business or get into the right mindset of setting one.  Entrepreneurship is a journey of evolution  Understanding the context of this article demands an understanding of the philosophy of entrepreneurship.  Entrepreneurship is inherently defined by risk and uncertainty. It is unconventional. There is a reason why the majority do not pursue this path, despite not necessarily loving their daily jobs. It is about understanding and accepting that you are taking a massive risk. You can do everything right, and it can still fail.  Therefore, beginning this journey under a guided course is the wrong way to approach this path.  Online courses are good for the “What” and the “How” Now that we have clarified where online courses for starting a business are not helpful, let’s consider the other side.  I elaborated on a few points concerning entrepreneurship. Here are an additional 2 that are relevant: skills and knowledge.  Implementing, managing and executing a business venture demands certain skills, and it may be specific to each founder and business.  This is where online courses “may” be helpful for people starting their businesses. So long as you identify the following: Let’s look at an example below (me): Sohrab wants to start an online consultancy business. His main way of getting clients is online through his website and Google search. Therefore, Sohrab needs to understand Google Analytics to analyse his website’s performance. In this case, an online course on Google Analytics could be helpful for Sohrab.  Starting your own business can be daunting. Need help? About My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four prior to 2020. Currently, I help other entrepreneurs start their businesses.

Don’t make this mistake with Business and Startup Visas

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Business and startup visas and international entrepreneurs are what and who I deal with on a daily basis. As someone who has embarked on the path of business visas as a foreign entrepreneur, I have learned a few lessons. Disclaimer: none of the content in this article, or website, constitute immigration advice in any shape or form. For professional immigration advice, please refer to a regulated immigration advisor or solicitor. If you are an international entrepreneur considering applying for a business or startup visa, there are quite a few things to consider. This may be one of the biggest challenges with foreign entrepreneurs. Starting a business is always hard work; add it to navigating immigration rules and you are bound to get things wrong.  As such, in this article, I seek to prevent foreign entrepreneurs from making ONE fatal mistake, and that is underestimating the requirements of business and startup visas.  Business & Startup visas may come with ongoing requirements Remember that under many visa paths such as the UK’s Innovator Founder Visa, there are ongoing milestones that founders must meet.  In other words, getting a business or startup visa is just the beginning.  Where do founders get it wrong? With the above in mind, founders usually underestimate startup and business visa requirements by either: These two mistakes can end up costing you money, time, energy and your health. It is vital that founders who consider startup and business visas are aware of this reality.  Startup and business visas are not the means to obtain long-term residency/citizenship.  It may be in certain countries, but it certainly is not the case with the UK’s Innovator Founder Visa.  Remember to assess everything from a “business” perspective, rather than a “residency/immigration” one.  What if residency is your goal? Entrepreneurship is not everyone’s fortĂ©, and I am not judging you for that.  Perhaps you do wish to invest in commercial projects whilst obtaining an additional residency or citizenship. In these cases, it is better to consider residency or citizenship by investment programs offered by several countries across the world.  Do not pursue a business or startup visa if your main priority is residency. Running a business has many uncertainties, and it should always be done for the purpose of generating profit unless we are speaking of non-profits.  Any other goal is foundationally wrong for doing so.  About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I did so by obtaining an endorsement from Newcastle University under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme. Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (replaced by the Innovator Founder Visa). I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four, and also obtained my Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs, such as myself, with their businesses, and mainly with obtaining endorsements from the endorsing bodies.

What moving abroad alone as a 17-year-old immigrant taught me

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I will always consider myself an “immigrant”, partly because I refuse any negative connotation in relation to this term; I was born and raised in Iran. At the age of 17, I packed my entire life and got on a plane to the UK in pursuit of further education, all alone.  Well, every story starts somewhere, and my immigration story began shortly after I finished High School in Iran. Initially, I moved to Manchester on a student visa to attend college/pre-university preparation. My educational journey came to an end when I was 22 and obtained my master’s degree in law from Newcastle University.  Shortly after, I developed a business idea based on my experience with renting accommodation as an international student, which later became StudyFlats. This idea was supported by Newcastle University and got me a 1-year visa as a graduate international entrepreneur.  Subsequently, I obtained a three-year visa (which led to my settlement after it ended). During this period, I scaled StudyFlats to over 30 UK cities, hired a team of four and managed a global client base across property sites around the UK.  Going through the business immigration journey was one of the most difficult journeys that I could embark on. It profoundly changed my worldview, self-perspective and professional skill set.  There are some big lessons that I learnt along the way. My hope is for these to resonate with others experiencing the same hardships or learning curve, and to raise awareness of the immigration narrative from an entrepreneurial and personal perspective.  You are at a disadvantage, in many things… Yes, this is a fact, nor is this some “woke/snowflake” rant. Racism, discrimination and prejudice exist in the UK. They can be witnessed within many fabrics of the society, such as: -Housing -Employment  -Healthcare  -Media  Of course, each person’s experience is unique. One individual may only encounter discrimination and racism in one area but not necessarily in another.  The argument is that discrimination exists and it can become a professional and personal barrier. Personally, I may have been lucky or privileged to not experience many of these. However, the journey of being an immigrant certainly taught me about what discrimination looks like. You think more about the world  One side effect of a multinational and global personal perspective is that it forces you to think more.  You compare different nations and question how and why they come to differ. This will lead to even more questions.  How did they come to differ? What differentiates the two societies and the way they are administered?  These are examples of questions that you may have, and it’s a good thing.  These questions, and comparative outlook, will contribute to your growth and level of knowledge.  The question of “identity” This is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of being an immigrant, or you could also say a “global citizen”.  Once you spend long enough in another country/ your new “home”, you will undergo a series of changes.  After a while, it just seems like you don’t fully belong anywhere. Your identity is now a reflection of different, and sometimes contrasting, viewpoints.  Whilst inconvenient, such experiences will either make or break you.  These are some of the things that I learnt as an immigrant who moved to the UK alone at the age of 17…Now I help other aspiring global citizens start their businesses abroad. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats which I scaled to over 30 UK cities. I currently help other entrepreneurs and businesses of all size across several domains. For my credentials, please see here.

The general costs of running a limited company in the UK

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If you want to start a business in the UK, one of the most common ways is through incorporating a limited company.  There are various business structures in the UK that one may start a business through. The most common ways are: It is ultimately up to you to decide which structure fits you best. Each has its own tax implications and regulatory requirements.  However, assuming that you wish to start a limited company in the UK, below are some of the costs that you will incur. Accounting  Limited companies require the director(s) to submit annual accounts. Preparing and filing a limited company’s accounts, in most cases, will require an accountant’s assistance.  The costs of an accountant can vary based on:  Generally, you can expect to pay your accountant anywhere between ÂŁ500-ÂŁ2000 per year.  These are broad estimates, and you may even have to pay more in certain circumstances.  Registered address UK limited companies require a registered address. If you have an office, then that address will suffice.  However, if you do not have an office, there are two options: Confirmation statement Limited companies are required to file a Confirmation Statement every year, which costs ÂŁ13.  On many occasions, this fee will be covered by your accountant as part of their services. Company incorporation Depending on how you incorporate your company, there is an incorporation fee.  The cost can range from ÂŁ10 to ÂŁ40. Corporation tax This will depend on whether your UK limited company makes a profit.  Currently, the UK’s corporation tax rate is per below: 19% : for limited companies with profits between 0-ÂŁ50,000  25%: for limited companies with profits above ÂŁ250,000  For full information, please refer to the UK Government’s website. These are some of the general costs of running a UK limited company.  If you are planning to start a business in the UK and need help, get in touch with me to start your journey today. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats which I scaled to over 30 UK cities. I currently help other entrepreneurs and businesses of all size across several domains. For my credentials, please see here.

6 useful AI tools for founders & businesses

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AI tools are revolutionising the world of work for founders and businesses. From customer service to content creation, AI-powered tools have simplified many of the old processes. In this article, I will highlight 6 AI tools that are super useful for founders and businesses.  As a founder or a business, you must use your time and resources efficiently. AI-powered tools help you do so.  The world of AI has advanced rapidly, and new ways of using it evolve every day.  Now let’s talk about some of those awesome AI tools that will help founders and businesses maximise their offer. Canva Canva has added various AI functionalities to enhance its content creation features.  For those who don’t know Canva: it is one of the entrepreneurship world’s biggest gifts to humanity.  Canva is useful for both founders and other members of businesses for content creation. Recently it has added several useful AI functionalities, making it even more awesome.  The YouTube video below highlights some of these really well, so make sure to check it out! Grammarly In this day and age, grammar and spelling mistakes are becoming a thing of the past. We may partially thank the education system for that. However, a big chunk of this progress is thanks to the power of technology.  Grammarly is a reflection of this. It is powered by AI and improves your text and writing. Personally, I’m the type to write typos all the time, personally because I have 50 tabs open on my browser, so Grammarly has been a real treat for me!  Tidio Chatbots have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Moreover, many chatbots are powered by AI, including Tidio.  Tidio offers a range of benefits, including: -Easy-to-use & simple interface -Integration with various platforms such as WordPress, Shopify & Wix  -Customizable AI-powered chatbots & lead generators Personally, as a founder and business owner, I am a big fan of Tidio as an AI-powered tool, and it also comes with a free version. ChatGPT I was not sure if I should mention ChatGPT, given all the hype surrounding it and its parent company, OpenAI.  However, a list of AI tools for founders and businesses would be incomplete without ChatGPT. There are so many things that founders and businesses can do with ChatGPT, including (but not limited to): -Content creation -Editing written content  -Provision of information  -Code: generation, debugging and more Synthesia  Another one of my favourite AI tools for founders and businesses is Synthesia.  Synthesia is a video creation and media generation platform powered by AI.  It helps you create professional videos and use AI-based characters as narrators, who look (too) similar to real humans! Notion AI  Using your time and resources efficiently is crucial as a founder and/or a business. Therefore, the last few years have witnessed the emergence of many task management and teamwork tools such as Notion or Trello.  Notion reserves a unique spot, as it has gone a step further by harnessing the power of AI. This functionality helps founders and businesses to use Notion AI for tasks such as: -Information management and categorisation  -Translation -Content generation -Simplification of information  -and much more…….. These are 6 useful AI tools for founders and businesses. As a founder, it’s important to keep yourself updated with the latest tech innovations and leverage them to your benefit.  About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats which I scaled to over 30 UK cities. I currently help other entrepreneurs and businesses of all size across several domains. For my credentials, please see here.

Why many immigrants become (great) entrepreneurs

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In a previous article, I made a semi-academic evaluation of the link between being and immigrant and becoming an entrepreneur. My previous analysis demonstrated a direct link between immigration and entrepreneurship.  In 2018, over 55% of US unicorns were founded or co-founded by immigrant entrepreneurs (Anderson, 2022). This percentage represented 50 unicorns with an immigrant founder or cofounder out of 91.  Fast forward to 2022, there were 582 unicorns in the US, and again 55% (319) of them had an immigrant (co)-founder.  Additionally, a 2012 study stated that immigrant entrepreneurs represented over a quarter of all startup founders. As human beings, our biological instinct is to survive and evolve under difficult circumstances.  This may manifest itself in various ways.  Immigrants and displaced people face an array of considerable socio-economic barriers and challenges.  These challenges may be internal (e.g. mental health issues), external (e.g. employment discrimination, or both. Additionally, these external and internal may have an inverse relationship. This further complicates the conclusion of a thorough third-party perspective on this issue.  Nevertheless, the above reflects the inherent principle behind the hypothesis that immigrants are statistically and practically more likely to become entrepreneurs.  In this piece, I will highlight three key points concerning immigrants and displaced people. These factors range in nature and effect, but their common attribute is their contribution towards immigrants’ pursuit of entrepreneurship. Limited opportunities / Socio-Economic barriers Once immigrants and displaced people have arrived, and by some means have “settled” in their destination, their primary concern will be money and financial stability. Thus, they are likely to encounter and face the labour market of their new home. Unfortunately, this is one of the early and key areas in which immigrants and minority individuals will encounter bias, discrimination and prejudice. I shall state, that I comprehend the complex nature of this issue from a sociological perspective. However, this article does not seek to evaluate the phenomenon of discrimination. Instead, I will highlight how the existence of the aforementioned is influential in immigrants pursuing entrepreneurship and self-sustained revenue sources. Labour Market Case Study | USA  Numbers are always useful in providing a clear picture of a hypothesis. As such, let us consider some statistics concerning employment discrimination in the US.  For the year 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received a total of 73,485 discrimination charges.  Of this, 34% of the cases, 20,908 charges, were based on racial discrimination. Additionally, 6,213 charges, or 10% of the entire charges for 2022, were based on national origin.  Aside from statistics, it is useful to consider a psychological perspective on the issue of labour and employment discrimination. As such, we shall refer to a case study highlighted by Hamilton College. This study was conducted on economics doctorate students and assessed their employment outcomes against the fluency of their names.  The research found that having an unconventional or hard-to-pronounce name limits employment prospects for candidates. In this case, those candidates were 10% less likely to secure an academic position. Labour Market Case Study | UK  Aside from the US, research that was undertaken in the UK reflected similar results.  One study by the University of Oxford found that Asian and Black ethnic minorities in the UK have to make twice as many applications as their other counterparts. Thus, we can see that labour discrimination and access to employment are real barriers for most, if not all, immigrants, whether first or second-generation. The extent of this discrimination, and therefore its effect, may be debatable; however, it is difficult to argue against the existence of discrimination in the labour market as a whole.  Furthermore, we may also reasonably speculate that having less access to opportunities contributes to immigrants’ pursuit of entrepreneurship. Resilience and risk tolerance Immigration is a phenomenon that radically transforms one’s entire life and the lives of those close to them.  Perhaps this is a relevant instance where the difference between the terms “expat” and “immigrant” may be relevant. One key difference between the two, in my opinion, is the element of “choice”. Expats “choose” to move abroad, and can “choose” to move back to their home country. Immigrants and displaced people, by principle, do not have this “choice”. This derives from inadequate and negative political, economic and societal conditions where immigrants and displaced people originate. When one is encountered with a life where the choices are always between “difficult” and “more difficult”, you are likely to have a different approach towards risk.  One of the principal factors influencing the pursuit of entrepreneurship is risk tolerance.  Immigrants and displaced people are arguably more risk-tolerant due to the dynamics of their lives and past experiences. This may not be a deciding factor on its own. However, the psychological attributes of immigrant entrepreneurs, which this point reflects, are an important point of consideration.  Liquid assets & access to cash When we speak of immigrants and displaced people, we are not referring to a collective group of people who are highly alike.  Immigrants and displaced people could consist of upper-middle-class families with considerable liquid assets who are seeking to migrate for a better life abroad. In contrast, we may also refer to asylum seekers who are fleeing conflict such as the Ukranian refugees in 2022. The point that I wish to highlight here is one common factor among all the different segments of immigrants and displaced people. This mutual attribute is the intention to permanently move away and establish a new life.  As such, it is not surprising that many immigrants will seek to relocate their assets (if any). Moreover, asset liquidity is integral for international relocation; thus, immigrants and displaced people often happen to have access to liquid assets more than native populations.  In terms of entrepreneurship and business creation, the role of capital cannot be underestimated. Many ventures will require an initial capital investment. Immigrants, due to their access to capital due to their circumstances, are therefore likely to overcome this first hurdle.  These are some factors that motivate immigrants to become…

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